We are excited to introduce UFLI Foundations as part of our literacy program.
UFLI is a structured phonics program that helps students build strong early reading and spelling skills. Through short, engaging lessons, students will learn how sounds and letters work together to help them read and write words.
During our UFLI lessons, students will practice:
- Recognizing and producing letter sounds
- Blending sounds together to read words
- Segmenting words into sounds
- Reading and spelling words
- Learning common words
- Reading short, decodable texts
What Are “Blendable Sounds” in UFLI?
As part of our UFLI reading lessons, students learn blendable sounds. These are sounds that can be stretched or held slightly, making it easier for children to connect sounds together and blend them into words.
For example, when reading a word, students learn to say each sound and then smoothly blend the sounds together to read the whole word.
The goal is to help children move from:
sounds → words → sentences → fluent reading
Why Are Blendable Sounds Important?
When children learn to blend sounds smoothly, they become better able to decode unfamiliar words independently. Instead of guessing a word from a picture or the first letter, students can use the sounds they know to work out the word.
How You Can Help at Home:
A few minutes of practice at home can make a big difference! Encourage your child to practise the sounds and words sent home by their teacher and to read regularly.
At home, you can support this skill by encouraging your child to:
- Say the sounds continuously when possible.
- Avoid adding an extra “uh” sound after consonants.
- Slide the sounds together rather than saying each sound separately and stopping.
- Celebrate their effort as they work out a word.
For example, instead of saying each sound with a long pause between them, encourage your child to connect the sounds smoothly and listen for the word that they make together.
You may hear your child using phrases such as “say it slowly,” “stretch it,” or “blend it.” These are all ways we help children develop the ability to read words independently.
Most importantly, keep reading practice positive, encouraging, and fun. Celebrate your child’s effort and progress!
Please check out this YouTube link for blendable sounds:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b78icf-bB7Q
We look forward to working together to help your child become a confident and enthusiastic reader.
Thank you for your continued support!